The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 283 BUILD SUGESTIONS HELP!

Sorry if I repeat what others have said, but I don't have enough patience this morning to read all the posts individually.

I have built a 283 once, but have built a number of motors besides the 283, mostly small blocks, but also a few big blocks.
The thing about horsepower is that it multiplies by torque and rpm (and is divided by the constant 5252). That means that if you want greater than 1 hp per cubic inch, you need to utilize the other numerator, RPM. To do that, you will end up with a lumpy cam, because you have to shift the operating range up into the higher rpms.

For example, you could probably achieve your goal with an excellent set of heads (they DON'T have to be aluminum), and an excellent modern intake manifold. But you might end up having to use a single plane, since most dual planes are limited to about 6700 rpm max. A single plane is going to really make a small engine like a 283 lethargic at low rpm levels, as will the kind of cam it'll take to do it. But putting all that aside, I'd concentrate on a solid flat tappet or a solid roller cam with an rpm range reaching over 7000 rpm. That's going to probably mean it won't begin making power until 4000 rpm (if it's a solid flat tappet) or 3500-ish (if it's a solid roller).

You don't really have to spend a lot on heads. Chevy makes an excellent iron head, which won't break the bank. Also Pro-Topline from Australia has good iron heads that are cheap. All things being equal, iron heads make more power than aluminum heads. But have less octane tolerance. So if you want to run pump gas, you might be forced to use aluminum heads. This is because the lumpy cam grind you need for your goals is going to need higher compression ratios, perhaps in the 11:1 range.
So spend some investment in getting good heads.

Believe it or not, you don't need a huge carb for your 283. I'd suggest a double pumper Holley. Running 100% efficient (which isn't reality), a 288 cube 283 (0.030" overbored) at 7000 rpm would require a 583 cfm carb. You'd probably do fine with a 500 cfm or maybe a 550 cfm double pumper carb on this engine. Avoid the temptation to get a giant 850 cfm race carb, the 283 doesn't need it.

Finally, to make this combination work, you probably need pretty steep rear end gears. I wouldn't go any less than about a 4.11 in the back. I suppose you could, but if this is going to scream down the quarter mile, the steeper gears will be needed.

Don't think it's not possible guys. Chevy's 302 from the '69 Z28 was good for over 500 REAL horsepower, and could tach over 7000 rpm all day long without needing forged connecting rods. It's because of the short 3" stroke, the piston speed is low. By the way, 283's have forged crankshafts. And a 302 is nothing but a 283 with a 1/8" bigger bore. So he can make his goals, easily.

I'm not trying to pick on any one person posting in this forum post, but the guy stated that he wanted a cruiser and the ability to tow another vehicle. I don't think he wants a high rpm engine. Most of us really run amouk in this forum with suggestions. I wonder how well a Camaro engine would work in a vehicle that weighs twice as much and is towing a vehicle to boot? He needs high torque at a low RPM. If he wants a lumpy sound so it sounds cool, he may just be getting less than he deserves in the end. My suggestion is to build the engine according to the vehicle and its use. Take the sound you get.

Like I said, I'm not trying to tell him what he should or shouldn't do with his engine. I'm just telling him how to reach his goals. It isn't likely that a greater than 1 hp/ci engine will make a good cruiser anyway. But that wasn't his question. His question was how to do it...

A cruising/towing engine is about as far away as anyone can get from a high horsepower screamer that produces its power at the top end of the RPM range. Build for horsepower or torque- - - - - -but pick one, you can't have both! Back when they were the only game in town, 283's powered dump trucks and other big, heavy rigs, but they were low-compression engines with lots of gears. The 55 HP Perkins engine in my Massey-Ferguson diesel tractor will do things an automotive engine can't begin to accomplish, but it's purpose-built to pull, not win drag races, and the gearing is right for the job. Don't expect a mule to be competitive in the Kentucky Derby!
Jerry

AMEN!

X2!

I see this is an old thread but a am putting a build together on a 283 for a 59 gmc so this thread intested me. My plan is a weiand 142 blower and edelbrock e tec heads and a retro fit roller cam. I think this will make a very streetable combo of around 350hp and good fuel economy with the tko600 I plan on using.